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In the last post, you were vying to develop a new company service. Despite your and Sarah’s best efforts, Mike positioned himself as the only one to do it. You were not influential.
Power—The Hidden Engine at Work As I mentioned in a previous post, there are at least five undercurrents in organizations. Power is an important one. Here’s an example of how it’s used at work. Power at work Your company manufactures greeting cards. You are meeting with your boss Galen and your peer managers. Galen is a nice guy but to your mind, too much under the influence of Mike, one of your peers. Galen: Alicia [Galen’s boss] wants a new service to let customers customize their cards. They access our files on say, birthdays, to pick the wording and picture. We combine them to print or send by soft copy. I’m looking for the right person to take this on. Mike hogs things Mike: Well, obviously, since I manage the writers, it would be best if I took it. Sarah: Why, Mike? I’ve got the artists. People buy cards for the illustration, not the words. I should head up the new service. You make a bid YOU: Well, since my guys ready the illustrations and text for production, I should get it. Mike: You’re just the back end. You put the files together so production won’t screw…
It can be hard to imagine that your company has undercurrents, especially since, as I say, they are not well recognized by even the most astute office politicians.
Last time I gave an example of a group meeting where you wanted to vote ‘no.’ But despite this and having promised a colleague Thomas to do so, you voted ‘yes’.
The Dark Side of Work Revealed Work places have undercurrents which are never spoken of but which determine whether you are successful or how far you go. But these undercurrents are difficult to pick up, so to illustrate, here’s a work scenario to show you how they operate. Deciding holiday schedules The deal Your manager wants to discuss holiday scheduling. Thomas comes to your cubicle. Thomas: This meeting at 2:00. I think Susie and the others are gonna snow us. YOU: Huh? Thomas: Because we’re the only two without partners— although I’m working it. Anyhow, Susie’ll suggest we do the Christmas to New Year shift. YOU: But I wanted to ski! Thomas: Exactly. We need time off even if we’re single. So, you’ll support me? YOU: Absolutely. The meeting Note: Ned is the boss, everyone else works for him. Ned: Okay, guys, who will staff December 26-31? Susie: Christmas is a family thing. I need to be with my kids. Thomas: You’re with them every day. Ned: Thomas, let Susie finish. Susie: And the kids are off so I have to be there. Edgar: Yeah, I want to spend time with my new grandchild. Thomas: But I want to…